Aerosol product

ABSTRACT

To provide a simple-structured aerosol product with few limitations on applicable liquids and capable of spraying a mist of fine particles without giving too much sensation of coldness. The aerosol container ( 101 ) includes a plurality of holding spaces by being partitioned and a plurality of valves ( 110 ) corresponding to the holding spaces. At least one of the plurality of holding spaces is a liquefied gas containing section ( 131 ) that holds a liquefied gas LG, and at least one of the plurality of valves ( 110 ) is a gas phase valve ( 110 A) that ejects vaporized gas from the liquefied gas containing section ( 131 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an aerosol product having a valve witha stem protruding from an aerosol container, and a nozzle that fits withthe stem, and more particularly to an aerosol product that favorablysprays a mist of the content therein.

BACKGROUND ART

Aerosol products having a valve with a stem protruding from an aerosolcontainer, and a nozzle that fits with the stem, are well known, and soare products that spray a mist of the contents in the container from thenozzle.

The content is atomized as it is ejected from the outlet orifice. Forspraying the mist of the content, generally, the amount of ejectedcontent, the ejection pressure, and the nozzle outlet shape are designedsuitably in accordance with the properties of the content so as toproduce a favorable spray of mist by the expansion force of theliquefied gas near the outlet orifice.

The ejection pressure of the content and the expansion force of theliquefied gas near the outlet orifice are adjusted depending on the typeand amount of the liquefied gas to be mixed with the content, while theamount of ejected content is regulated by the flow paths of the valveand nozzle.

However, the type and amount of the liquefied gas are restricted by theproperties and affinities of contents, and the amount of ejected contentvaries depending on the purpose of use. A configuration that creates anoptimal mist was thus not necessarily achievable.

To alleviate these problems and achieve a favorable spray of mist,various improvements have been made in configurations other than thenozzle. An aerosol product known from Patent Literature 1, for example,has a valve with a housing configured to have a Venturi aperture in thecircumferential wall and to absorb the liquid inside the container bythe capillary action, to cause the liquid to evaporate through theVenturi effect and generate an aerosol in a lower end part of thehousing.

An aerosol product known from Patent Literature 2 includes a firstcontainer holding a gas and a second container holding a liquid. The gasheld in the first container is expelled as a gas stream from a firstnozzle part. The aerosol product includes a second nozzle part fordischarging the liquid held in the second container such that the liquidis drawn by the gas stream emerging from the first nozzle part andforced into the area of the expelled gas stream.

An aerosol product known from Patent Literature 3 includes an inneraerosol device that sprays an atomized liquid, and an outer aerosoldevice that ejects a gas for delivering the atomized liquid sprayed fromthis inner aerosol device.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.    2001-286795-   Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 4564297-   Patent Literature 3: Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.    2000-271514

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

These known aerosol containers have configurations other than the nozzlerefined to enable spraying of a mist optimized as suited to the content.

The aerosol product known from Patent Literature 1, however, uses thecapillary action and the Venturi effect, because of which applicableliquids are much limited, and entailed the problem that the nozzle had acomplex internal structure.

The aerosol product known from Patent Literature 2 uses the Venturieffect, and the liquid is exposed to the outside air, because of whichapplicable liquids are much limited, and entailed the problem that theaerosol container as a whole was bulky.

The aerosol product known from Patent Literature 3 entailed the problemthat the nozzle structure and the container structure were extremelycomplex.

The present invention solves the problems described above, and it is anobject of the invention to provide a simple-structured aerosol productwith few limitations on applicable liquids and capable of spraying amist of fine particles without giving too much sensation of coldness.

Solution to Problem

The aerosol product according to the present invention is an aerosolproduct having a valve with a stem protruding from an aerosol container,and a nozzle that fits with the stem, the aerosol container including aplurality of holding spaces by being partitioned and a plurality ofvalves corresponding to the holding spaces, at least one of theplurality of holding spaces being a liquefied gas containing sectionthat holds a liquefied gas, and at least one of the plurality of valvesbeing a gas phase valve that ejects vaporized gas from the liquefied gascontaining section, whereby the problems noted above are solved.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The aerosol product according to claim 1 has the aerosol containerincluding a plurality of holding spaces by being partitioned and aplurality of valves corresponding to the holding spaces, at least one ofthe plurality of holding spaces being a liquefied gas containing sectionthat holds a liquefied gas, and at least one of the plurality of valvesbeing a gas phase valve that ejects vaporized gas from the liquefied gascontaining section. As the content such as a liquid and the vaporizedgas mix with each other inside the nozzle, the content can be atomizedinto a mist of fine particles that hardly gives the sensation ofcoldness.

Since the content such as a liquid and the vaporized gas are ejectedfrom respective valves, the two valves can be designed optimally asrequired, which reduces limitations on applicable liquids.

Also, aerosol containers having a known dual valve configuration can beutilized, which results in a simple structure.

According to the configuration set forth in claim 2, the aerosolcontainer includes a can-like vessel and one or more content holdingbags accommodated inside the can-like vessel, the liquefied gascontaining section being formed by a space outside the content holdingbag inside the can-like vessel, and a valve or valves other than the gasphase valve being configured to eject a content inside the contentholding bag. As the content is forced out by the pressure from theliquefied gas containing section, contents that should not be mixed witha liquefied gas in storage can be accommodated, and thus the limitationson applicable liquids are further reduced.

Also, since the aerosol container is formed by one can-like vessel, thecontainer can be designed to have a shape easy to hold for the user.

According to the configuration set forth in claim 3, the nozzle includesa fitting part that fits with stems of the plurality of valves, a mixingpart where fluids ejected from the plurality of valves are mixed, and anoutlet orifice for forcing out the mixed fluids. Spraying of an optimalmist is made possible by a suitable internal design of a single nozzle,which enables an even simpler structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional illustrative view of an aerosol productaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An aerosol product 100 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention is a product known as a dual valve type, which has two valves110 fixed to the mouth of an aerosol container 101 by means of amounting cup 102, with two stems 111 protruding upwards, as shown inFIG. 1.

A content holding bag 132 is provided in the holding space inside theaerosol container 101 so that the container is partitioned into twoholding spaces, i.e., inside and outside of the content holding bag 132.

The content holding bag 132 tightly contains a content F therein, whilethe outside of the content holding bag 132 forms a liquefied gascontaining section 131 where a liquefied gas LG is stored.

The liquefied gas LG may be any of LPG, dimethyl ether, alternatives forCFCs and so on that are used as the propellant for common aerosolproducts. Non-flammable, more environmentally friendly hydrofluoroolefinis preferable, and HFO-1234ze is even more preferable.

One of the two valves 110 is connected to spray the content F inside thecontent holding bag 132, while the other valve 110A (hereinafter, “gasphase valve 110A”) is connected to force out the vaporized gas that isthe gaseous phase of the liquefied gas LG stored in the liquefied gascontaining section 131.

A nozzle 120 is attached to the stems 111 protruding upward from the twovalves 110 via a fitting part 122. Pressing down the nozzle 120 opensthe valve 110 and gas phase valve 110A, whereby the vaporized gas isforced out from the stem 111 by the pressure of the gaseous phase of theliquefied gas LG stored in the liquefied gas containing section 131, andthe content F is forcefully projected from the stem 111, as the contentholding bag 132 is pressurized, too.

The content F and vaporized gas are mixed inside the nozzle 120 anddriven out from an outlet orifice 121, and in this process, the contentF is atomized into a fine mist as it is sprayed.

This embodiment includes a residual quantity reduction member 134attached below the valve 110 inside the content holding bag 132 andconfigured to keep the amount of ejected content F consistent until theend and to reduce the amount of leftover.

Since the content F is forced out by the pressure the content holdingbag 132 receives from the liquefied gas containing section 131, thecontent F does not contact the liquefied gas LG during storage, andthere is no need to mix in a material that applies pressure to thecontent F.

Example 1

Table 1 shows the test results when water, alcohol, and vegetable oilwere sprayed as a mist of the content F, using the aerosol product 100described above.

The test conditions were as follows:

Example 1

Flow path diameter of the valve 110 for the content F: 0.35 mm

Flow path diameter of the gas phase valve 110A: 0.35 mm

Liquefied gas: HFO-1234ze

Example 2

Flow path diameter of the valve 110 for the content F: 2.00 mm

Flow path diameter of the gas phase valve 110A: 0.35 mm

Liquefied gas: HFO-1234ze

A common one-valve aerosol spray container was used as comparativeexamples.

Comparative Example 1

Valve flow path diameter: 0.40 mm

Propellant: N₂

Comparative Example 2

Valve flow path diameter: 0.40 mm

Propellant: LPG (mixed with the content)

TABLE 1 Compar- Compar- Liquid Example Example ative ative Item content1 2 example 1 example 2 Particle Water 40.29 41.22 135.70  198.30 size(μm) Alcohol 52.80 57.30 88.34 26.76 Vegetable 47.63 51.19 *Not 40.57oil measurable Ejection Water 8.3 6.4 4.6 2.7 pressure Alcohol 6.7 6.44.0 5.1 (g) Vegetable 8.1 7.2 0.6 5.3 oil Sensation Water Θ Θ Θ ◯ ofcold- Alcohol ◯ ◯ ◯ X ness Vegetable Θ Θ Θ X oil *Not measurable becausemist was not formed. Θ: No sensation of coldness ◯: Slight sensation ofcoldness X: Clear sensation of coldness

As the test results show, when the content F is water, the examples ofthe aerosol product of the present invention can spray a mist of veryfine particles without giving much sensation of coldness.

In contrast, the particle size is large in both comparative examples,and when LPG is used to be mixed with the content, the aerosol producessome sensation of coldness.

When the content F is alcohol, the examples of the aerosol product ofthe present invention can spray a mist of very fine particles, and whilethe aerosol does produce some sensation of coldness derived from thealcohol, the cold sensation is felt relatively less.

In contrast, when nitrogen is used as the propellant gas in thecomparative examples, while the cold sensation is felt as little as theexamples of the aerosol product of the present invention, the particlesize is large. When LPG is used to be mixed with the content, while theparticle size is smaller, the cold sensation is intense.

When the content F is vegetable oil, the examples of the aerosol productof the present invention can spray a mist of very fine particles withoutgiving much sensation of coldness. In contrast, when nitrogen is used asthe propellant gas in the comparative examples, no mist is formed, andwhen LPG is used to be mixed with the content, the cold sensation isintense.

Example 2

Table 2 shows the test results of the aerosol product 100 according tothe first embodiment using water as the content F, with varying flowpath diameters of the valve 110.

TABLE 2 Flow path Average diameter particle Ejection (mm) Area ratio Gassize pressure Condition Liquid Gas Liquid/gas type (μm) (g) 1 0.3 2   2%HFO- Not Not 1234ze ejectable measurable 1 0.3 2   2% LPG 28.13 2.1 0.151 0.3 2   2% LPG Not Not 0.39 ejectable measurable 1 0.3 2   2% DME15.44 7.2 2 0.35 2   3% HFO- 19.63 5.9 1234ze 2 0.35 2   3% LPG 17.146.2 0.39 3 0.4 2   4% HFO- 20.4 5.9 1234ze 4 0.45 2   5% HFO- 22.16 5.61234ze 5 0.5 2   6% HFO- 21.06 5.2 1234ze 6 2 2  100% HFO- 33.94 5.51234ze 6 2 2  100% LPG 35.1 3.1 0.15 6 2 2  100% LPG 22.48 6.5 0.39 6 22  100% DME 55.49 6.2 7 2 0.5 1600% HFO- 33.76 5.9 1234ze 8 2 0.35 3265%HFO- 41.22 6.4 1234ze 9 2 0.3 4444% HFO- 58.06 5.9 1234ze

In Condition 1 to Condition 6, the flow path diameter of the gas phasevalve 110A was 2.00 mm, while the flow path diameter of the valve 110for the content F was increased stepwise, i.e., 0.3 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.4 mm,0.45 mm, 0.5 mm, and 2.00 mm.

In Condition 6 to Condition 9, the flow path diameter of the valve 110for the content F was 2.00 mm, while the flow path diameter of the gasphase valve 110A was decreased stepwise, i.e., 2.00 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.35 mm,and 0.3 mm.

As the test results show, under Condition 1 (with the liquid/gas arearatio of the flow path of 2%), when the liquefied gas was LPG 0.15 orDME (dimethyl ether), a fine mist could be sprayed, while, when theliquefied gas was HFO-1234ze or LPG 0.39, no mist could be sprayed.

Under Condition 2 (with the liquid/gas area ratio of the flow path of3%), a fine mist could be sprayed even when the liquefied gas wasHFO-1234ze or LPG 0.39.

This indicates that a fine mist can be sprayed if the flow path area ofthe valve for the content F is 3% or more of the flow path area of thegas phase valve, irrespective of the type of the liquefied gas.

Under Condition 6 (with the liquid/gas area ratio of the flow path of100%), a fine mist could be sprayed, with any of LPG 0.15, LPG 0.39, DME(dimethyl ether), and HFO-1234ze used as the liquefied gas.

Under Condition 9 (with the liquid/gas area ratio of the flow path of4444%), too, a fine mist could be sprayed when HFO-1234ze was used asthe liquefied gas.

This indicates that the use of HFO-1234ze as the liquefied gas enables afine mist to be sprayed even when the flow path diameter of the gasphase valve 110A is reduced and a smaller amount of gas is used.

The aerosol product 100 of the embodiment described above is a productknown as a dual valve type that has two valves 110 in one aerosolcontainer 101, but there may be three or more valves.

Alternatively, the aerosol container may have one valve and a pluralityof holding spaces, at least one of the plurality of holding spaces beingassigned to ejection of vaporized gas, or, a plurality of holding spacesmay be configured with a plurality of aerosol containers with one valve,at least one of the plurality of aerosol containers being assigned toejection of vaporized gas.

While the content F in the embodiment described above does not contain aliquefied gas, it may contain a liquefied gas mixed therein.

The test examples shown in Table 2 were obtained with the outlet orifice121 at the tip of the nozzle 120 having a configuration that causes theexpelled fluid to swirl in spirals (known as “mechanical breakup”).Table 3 below shows the test results obtained with the nozzle 120 havingan outlet orifice 121 at the tip with a straight configuration.

TABLE 3 Flow path Average diameter particle Ejection (mm) Area ratio Gassize pressure Condition Liquid Gas Liquid/gas type (μm) (g) 6 2 2 100%HFO- 35.71 6.4 1234ze

As shown, an equally fine mist can be sprayed even with a straightconfiguration. Therefore, the outlet orifice 121 at the tip of thenozzle 120 may have a configuration that causes the expelled fluid toswirl in spirals (mechanical breakup) if the nozzle 120 is of the typethat mixes the content F and the vaporized gas inside the nozzle 120,or, the nozzle may have a straight configuration that forces out thecontent F and vaporized gas directly to the outside.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   100 Aerosol product-   101 Aerosol container-   102 Mounting cup-   110 Valve-   111 Stem-   120 Nozzle-   121 Outlet orifice-   122 Fitting part-   131 Liquefied gas containing section-   132 Content holding bag-   134 Residual quantity reduction member-   LG Liquefied gas-   F Content

1. An aerosol product comprising a valve having a stem protruding froman aerosol container, and a nozzle that fits with the stem, the aerosolcontainer including a plurality of holding spaces by being partitionedand a plurality of valves corresponding to the holding spaces, at leastone of the plurality of holding spaces being a liquefied gas containingsection that holds a liquefied gas, and at least one of the plurality ofvalves being a gas phase valve that ejects vaporized gas from theliquefied gas containing section.
 2. The aerosol product according toclaim 1, wherein the aerosol container includes a can-like vessel andone or more content holding bags accommodated inside the can-likevessel, the liquefied gas containing section being formed by a spaceoutside the content holding bag inside the can-like vessel, and a valveor valves other than the gas phase valve being configured to eject acontent inside the content holding bag.
 3. The aerosol product accordingto claim 1, wherein the nozzle includes a fitting part that fits withstems of the plurality of valves, a mixing part where fluids ejectedfrom the plurality of valves are mixed, and an outlet orifice forforcing out the mixed fluids.
 4. The aerosol product according to claim1, wherein a valve or valves other than the gas phase valve has/have aflow path area of 3% or more of a flow path area of the gas phase valve.5. The aerosol product according to claim 1, wherein the liquefied gasis hydrofluoroolefin.